11To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 5 July 1790 (Adams Papers)
There are so many rumours concerning the present state of the dispute between Spain and Britain and so many individuals interested to misrepresent it that it is with much diffidence that I venture to offer you any opinion on that subject. The british parliament the members of which are now chiefly elected will not be assembled before the middle of august. Till then very little that can be...
12To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 16 June 1790 (Adams Papers)
I write this note just to inclose you a couple of newspapers. Such is the variable & distracted state of affairs at present here and all over Europe that it is impossible to form an opinion one day that events of the next will not overturn. The cabinet of St Jame’s having involved this nation in the fortunes of Prussia—it is next to impossible that a general war shou’d not ensue. France has...
13To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 14 June 1790 (Adams Papers)
By a vessel that sails for Boston tomorrow I inclose You the british king’s speech on the adjournment prior to the late dissolution of parliament—for which dissolution the next day a royal proclamation issued. From the tenor of this speech a general european war is expected. Meanwhile the most extensive naval armaments are preparing in the ports adjacent to all the great dockyards of this...
14To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 3 June 1790 (Adams Papers)
I inclosed You a few days ago a parcel of printed papers some of which I conceived might contain interesting intelligence especially if the dispute between Britain & Spain shoud terminate in hostilities, as in such an event the government of the United States woud at least be involved in discussions of considerable importance to our country with one or both of those nations. Among the rest you...
15To George Washington from John Brown Cutting, 1 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to inclose you an english newspaper wherein is inserted the copy of a treaty between the king of Prussia and the sublime Porte. This copy I am informed by a foreigner of veracity who perused the original at the house of the imperial minister, is a genuine translation. The terms of it are such that a war between the respective parties to it in conjunction with the kings of...
16II. John Brown Cutting to Thomas Jefferson, 20 March 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
A relapse soon after I took leave of You at Cowes has compel’d me to waste the whole winter in Europe: the greater part of it I have pass’d at Bath. It is now probable that I shall not embark for New York before June, when Mr. Rutledge and myself will be companions of the voyage, so that I may receive any commands that you may wish me to execute here for You by the May Packet. Mr. Rutledge has...
17To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 20 March 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just spoken with a gentleman who promises to put a line for me in the letter bag of Capt. Woolsey when he arrives at Gravesend. I embrace the opportunity of inclosing a newspaper or two, additional to those I have already inclosed. The accounts from Brussels of the riot do seem likely to be true from the intemperate violence of the priests and other agents of the aristocracy, who with...
18III. Extract from the Speech of Edmund Burke, [9 February 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
The french have proved themselves the ablest architects of ruin that ever existed in the world. In one summer they have done their business for us as rivals in a way more destructive than twenty Ramillies or Blenheims. In this very short space of time they have completely pulled down to the ground their monarchy: their church; their nobility; their law; their revenue; their army; their navy;...
19John Brown Cutting to William Short, 3 November 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am just returned from Bath where I have been ever since I parted with Mr. Jefferson at Cowes. Perhaps it may not have been notified to you that the Claremont Capt. Colley and the vessel in which Mr. Trumbull sailed for New York proceeded down the channel on the morning of the 23d with a fine wind. This I learn by a letter from our Friend Trumbull who wrote to me by the pilot, when he quitted...
20To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 30 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 24th. with the inclosures has just reach’d me. The letter shall be forwarded to Charlestown immediately. Mr. Trumbull who had the goodness to communicate your letter to him of a prior date on the subject of taking your passage in some vessel bound from hence to the Chesapeak, having accorded with me in opinion that from the aspect of that letter there was very little probability...